Watch WNO 22 on the FloGrappling app Friday February 9th 2023.
www.FLOGRAPPLING.com
Main Event
Nicky “The Black Belt Slayer” Rodriguez (6’3, 220 pounds) vs. Victor “Big Man Flow” Hugo (6’4, 255 pounds) - Heavyweight match
Two of the top young stars in BJJ. 26 year old Victor Hugo (87 wins, 21 losses) takes on 27 year old Nicky Rodriguez (34 wins, 13 losses).
Born in Fortaleza, Brazil, Victor Hugo is a 3-time IBJJF black belt gi world champion. Hugo has won 21 of his last 22 matches. Most recently at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 he submitted “Big” Dan Manasoiu with an Americana lock. Hugo currently trains at Six Blades in Austin, Texas.
Born in New Jersey, USA, Nicky Rodriguez is also coming into this match on a hot streak. In December 2022, he came closer than anyone has to submitting “The King” Gordon Ryan. Nicky Rod followed that up with a 2024 tournament victory at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4. Rodriguez beat Roberto Jimenez, Vagner Rocha, and Big Dan Manasoiu in one night. In his most recent match, Nicky Rod beat Yuri Simoes by points 3-0. Nicky Rod trains out of the B Team in Austin, Texas.
My thoughts. This will be an interesting clash. I believe whoever spends most of the match on top will win. I see both of these guys being very tough to submit so I think it will go to a judges decision.
If Nicky Rod can spend a lot of time using his wrestling and guard passing, that will work in his favour. If Victor Hugo can sweep and get Nicky Rod on his back, things could get interesting.
These two have had 2 previous matches with Hugo beating Rodriguez by decision both times.
My pick: Victor Hugo by judges decision.
WNO Welterweight Chanpionship (Under 170 pounds)
Mica Galvao (c) vs. Kenta Iwamoto
Originally this match was Nicky Ryan vs. Mica Galvao (83 wins, 6 losses). A lot of people complained when Kenta (11 wins, 3 losses) was announced as the replacement for injured Nicky Ryan. Melqui Galvao, Mica’s father and former chief investigator for a special police anti kidnapping squad, took to social media to say that pretty much everyone in the top 10 at welterweight turned down a potential match with Mica.
Kenta had a great performance at ADCC 2022, pushing former ADCC champion JT Torres to the limit in a tough loss. He’s coming in on a 5 match winning streak. Kenta represents the B Team in Austin, Texas. Mica Galvao represents his Dad’s team, Melqui Galvao Jiu-Jitsu.
At 20 years old, Mica Galvao is one of, if not the top young star in BJJ today. His first BJJ competition was when he was 4 years old. Mica was promoted to black belt when he was 17 years old. He submits almost all of his opponents. He’s so incredibly explosive. He regularly does flying armbars and flying triangles. He’s a “blink and you will miss it” type of grappler.
In 2022, Mica Galvao won the IBJJF black belt world championship defeating Tye Ruotolo in the finals. The title was taken away after Mica tested positive for a banned substance. He received a one year ban. Mica had said he will be going up a division to middleweight after this title defence.
My pick: Mica Galvao by submission.
WNO Lightweight Championship (under 155 pounds)
Dante Leon (c) vs. Diego “Pato” Oliveira
A rare Champion vs champion match. WNO Lightweight champion Dante Leon (124 wins, 44 losses) puts his title on the line against WNO Featherweight champion Diego “Pato” Oliveira (116 wins, 17 losses).
Born in Ontario, Canada, 28 year old Dante Leon is WNO lightweight champ for a reason. He’s a 2x IBJJF No Gi World Champion. Dante took bronze at ADCC 2022 after losing a close semifinal match at to Mica Galvao. He was the grappler of the year in 2023 with victories over PJ Barch, Johnatha Alves, Kenta Iwamoto, and Ethan Crenlinsten. Dante won 23 out of 25 matches in 2023. His main focus is no gi competition and winning ADCC. He represents the team known as Pedigo Submission Fighting.
Born in Parintins, Brazil, 26 year old Diego “Pato” Oliveira is the current WNO featherweight (under 145 pounds) champion after beating Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis last year. His is an amazing leg locker. Pato splits his training between Gi and no gi. He is a 2x IBJJF World Champion in the gi and 2x No Gi World Champion. Pato represents the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy with coach Gui Mendes. Pato had 41 matches in 2023 going with 36 wins and 5 losses.
Pato comes into this match on a 11 match winning streak. His biggest wins in 2023 were over Baby Shark and American legend Gianni Grippo whom he beat in the finals of No Gi Worlds 10-0.
My thoughts. I’m really excited for this one. Pato is a dog but it’s hard to not pick Dante Leon here. He’s naturally bigger even spending some time at middle heavyweight before dropping down to lightweight last year. I expect Pato to pull guard and try to leg lock Dante whose defence is usually pretty sharp. I think Dante’s wrestling, size, and strength will give him the win here.
My pick: Dante Leon by decision.
Tainan Dalpra vs. Oliver Taza - Middleweight under 185
This is probably the most hyped up match on the card. The prized student of AOJ, two time IBJJF World Champion, 23 year old phenom Tainan Dalpra has entered the world of no gi competition. He is the number one ranked middleweight in the gi with a record of 74 wins, 2 losses. Tainan has never been submitted at black belt competition.
Tainan won his no gi debut match last year at WNO 21. He takes a big step up in competition for this match.
31 year old Oliver Taza (155 wins, 44 losses) represents Team New Wave led by legendary coach, John Danaher. Taza is a very experienced no gi grappler, having competed in ADCC 3 times. He is famous for his leg lock game, specifically his inside heel hook. Out of 96 submission wins, 39 have been by inside heel hook (41%). Out of 199 matches at black belt Taza has only been submitted twice. That’s pretty impressive.
My thoughts. The Brazilian fans think this is gonna be an easy win for Tainan Dalpra. I’m not so sure. We are gonna find out real quick if Tainan has been working on his leg lock game. Taza seems to have all the tools to beat Tainan. If there is a submission, I think it’s Taza by heel hook.
Honestly, I could see either guy winning, but I’m gonna take Taza’s experience and leg locks over Tainan’s passing and pressure game. Both of these guys should be in ADCC 2024 in August.
My pick: Oliver Taza by decision.
Amanda “Tubby” Alequin vs. Adele Fornarino - Flyweight under 125 pounds
This match was supposed to be a Flyweight (under 125 pounds) title fight with champion Ffion Davies taking on Tubby Alequin. Ffion had to withdraw due to injury.
Adele is replacing Ffion Davies, who had to withdraw due to injury.
29 year old American black belt Amanda “Tubby” Alequin is a IBJJF No Gi World Champion and a multi time veteran of the WNO event. She had one of the fastest submissions in WNO history. Tubby brings a style that’s very aggressive.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, 25 year old Adele Fornarino (21 wins, 5 losses) is in her rookie year as a BJJ black belt. Her game is closed guard. She first made waves on the competition scene in 2022 winning No Gi World Championships as a brown belt. She was promoted to black belt in December 2022. She has 21 wins at black belt with 86% of those by submission.
Tough match to call. I see this one ending with a submission. I’m gonna take Adele because it seems like she is really on the rise right now.
My pick: Adele Fornarino by submission.
Jacob “Hillbilly Hammer” Couch vs. Sebastian Rodriguez - Middleweight under 185
Born in Kentucky, USA, 25 year old fan favourite Jacob “The Hillbilly Hammer” Couch (43 wins, 10 losses) is back in action. He recently won the ADCC East Coast Trials last fall. Submitting all 7 of his opponents to qualify for ADCC 2024 in Las Vegas.
Sebastian Rodriguez (60 wins, 21 losses) is a BJJ black belt from Costa Rica. Training under team Unity and head coach, Murilo Santana. He is a no gi black belt world champion. He beat buggy choke master Rene Sousa by heel hook in 2023. Sebastian is a very active competitor and faced off with some of the best. This should be a great match.
My thoughts- Hillbilly Hammer usually shines under the bright lights of WNO. Rodriguez has only made one appearance on WNO, losing to Oliver Taza. Couch has competed on WNO numerous times against Gordon Ryan, Jay Rodriguez, and most recently Izzak Michell.
My pick: Jacob Couch by submission.
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